Idol worship: Alec Mapa, actor/comedian.- As "America's Gaysian Sweetheart" (self-proclaimed), he is a multi-talented actor of stage and screen and a very very funny comedian, who is also an advocate for several GLBT and Asian American causes.- Remember R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" video? He was the boy tied to a tree with an arrow piercing his heart. Talk about your show biz debut!- In addition to his own stand-up specials, he co-starred in the short-lived, based-on-Kiss Me, Guido sitcom Some of My Best Friends Are. Other television appearances include recurring roles on Desperate Housewives (as ...

Along with Outfest on the west coast, another GLBT film festival begins this week on the east coast: The 14th Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.Tonight, the opening night screening will be the eastern premiere of Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild, Todd Stephens' follow-up to the raunchy (and hilarious) Another Gay Movie. Like its predecessor, the Gay Sequel features a host of queer cult cameos, from the fabulousness of The Lady Bunny, Amanda Lepore and RuPaul to the hottness of Brent Corrigan, Colton Ford and Michael Lucas.The musical fantasia Were the World ...

My early fave movie being shown at the 26th Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, a.k.a. Outfest, is the perfectly delightful Ready? OK! This LGBT must-see, written and directed by James Vasquez, premieres at Outfest this Friday.Its plot centers on young Josh, a fifth-grader who desperately wants to join the all-girl cheer squad at his Catholic school. Carrie Preston (who also co-produced the film) plays Josh’s loving but often flummoxed mother, Andy, and Michael Emerson plays their gay neighbor, Charlie. He is so unconditionally supportive of Josh that, when the students are required to dress as ...

Showing at this year's SF Frameline Film Festival, Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, and GAZE Film Festival in Dublin, is The Art of Being Straight, which got a decent review in today's Variety: "Twenty-three-year-old John (Rosen) has just moved to L.A. from New York, ostensibly 'taking a break' from his longtime girlfriend. He moves in with college bro Andy (Jared Grey), whose pals incessantly do that kind of 'That is so gay' banter that's essentially harmless -- unless you're the only gay guy in the room. (Acknowledging there actually is a distinction, one eventually queries 'Is it 'gay' like ...

Outfest, the 26th Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, kicks off today. Laurie Lynd’s Breakfast with Scot, recently picked up for distribution this fall by here! Films/Regency Releasing, will be the opening night feature, while Stewart Wade’s Tru Loved will close the fest on July 21. In between, over 200 GLBT-themed films will be presented, plus Donna Deitch, director of the landmark Desert Hearts, will receive the "2008 Outfest Achievement Award".Out in Hollywood's Greg Hernandez has been counting down to the event by highlighting some of the films that will be screened at the ...

LOS ANGELES, -- here! Films, the theatrical distribution and worldwide sales division of here! Networks, is pleased to announce that it has acquired North American distribution rights to "Breakfast With Scot," a family comedy from director Laurie Lynd. The film is the Opening Night selection of Outfest 2008: The 26th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and will be released in select theaters this Fall by sister company Regent Releasing. "We are very pleased to bring Laurie Lynd's accomplished feature to theaters this Fall," said Mark Reinhart, West Coast General Manager and EVP, Distribution and Acquisitions, Regent. "In ...